Periodontal disease, also known as Periodontitis, is a type of gum disease that affects the soft tissues surrounding the gums, as well as the bones that support the teeth. If left untreated, it can result in tooth loss or even worse, and can also cause other serious health problems.

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, you are not alone. Statistics reveal that 80% of adults in the U.S. have had some form of Periodontitis during their lifetime. The gum disease is common, and is usually caused by poor oral hygiene.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

Every time we eat, our mouth is full of bacteria. Along with mucus and other particles, these bacteria continuously form colorless, sticky ‘plaque’ on teeth. Generally plaque forms when sugar and starch in food interact with the bacteria in our mouth. Regular brushing and flossing may remove plaque from your teeth, but it quickly re-forms. Furthermore, plaque buildup on your teeth and mineral content of your saliva can form tartar under the gumline. This not makes plaque more difficult to get rid of, but it also acts as a powerhouse of harmful bacteria. The longer the tarter and plaque remain on your teeth, the more damaging it can be.

To get rid of the bacteria and plaque in the mouth, the cells in our immune system release substances that often inflame and cause damages to the gums, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligaments. This causes swollen and bleeding gums, which is a sign of Gingivitis (the first stage of periodontal disease). Continuous inflammation causes developing pockets between the teeth and gums that fill up with bacteria, tarter and plaque. When these pockets become deep, more bacteria accumulate within them, eventually affecting the tissues and bones under your gums. In severe cases, you may also cause your teeth to loosen. This is a sign of acute Periodontitis.

In this case, you may need to seek expert advice and use PerioPatch, a topical patch designed to provide relief from the signs and symptoms of inflammation caused by Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

Some of the risk factors that may increase the chances of developing periodontal disease are:
– Smoking
– Diabetes
– Medications that tend to reduce the flow of saliva in the mouth
– Hormonal changes in the body, especially in women
– Genetic susceptibility
– Other diseases like AIDS and cancer, and their treatments can also negatively affect the health of your gums, increasing the risk of gum diseases

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

How would you know if you have periodontal disease? Mentioned here are the common signs and symptoms of gum disease: